Live WWI Artillery Shell Safely Destroyed

STANTON, Ky. (Sept. 27, 2018) — On September 26, 2018 at approximately 3:00 p.m., Kentucky State Police Post 8 in Morehead was contacted by a Powell County Deputy regarding a World War I British artillery shell in the Stanton community of Powell County. The deputy was contacted by the owner of the projectile who believed it to be live and dangerous.

The Kentucky State Police’s Hazardous Devices Unit was alerted and contacted the 123rd Air National Guard Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, which is protocol in destroying military grade munitions.

The projectile was located in the garage of a residence in Stanton and was owned by a private citizen, who had purchased it 30 years ago.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit arrived on scene at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 26 and determined that the shell was live and should be destroyed.

Prior to moving the projectile, KSP Hazardous Devices advised KSP Post 8 in Morehead and the Powell County 911 dispatch center that the device would be removed and detonated.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit transported the munition to a remote location and destroyed it by detonation, in accordance with protocol, at approximately 8:30 p.m.